place. It may be presumed that the important business to be transacted, will occupy not less than three days.

"We are, dear Brethren,

"Yours cordially,

Free Church-Thomas Chalmers, D. D., LL.D.; P. M'Farlan, D.D.; Robt. S. Candlish, D.D.; W. Cunningham, D.D.; Robt. Buchanan, D.D.; M. Mackay, LL.D.; John Smyth, D.D.; Thomas Guthrie; James Begg; W. M. Hetherington, LL.D.; Adam Cairns; David Carmint; Breadalbane; D. Brewster, LL.D.; R. J. Brown, Professor of Greek, Marischal College, Aberdeen; Alex. Campbel, Monzie; Andrew Bonar; Graham Speirs; William Brown; N. Stevenson; James Bridges.

United Secession Church-John Brown, D.D.; H. Heugh, D.D.; James Harper, D.D.; David King, LL.D.; John Henderson; David Anderson; James Peddie ; Jo. Young; John Eadie, LL.D; John Robson, D.D.; James Mitchell.

Original Secession Church-Thomas M'Crie; Robt. J. Watt; William White. Relief Church—William Lindsay, D.D.; J. S. Taylor; William Brodie; Hugh Macfarlane.

Reformed Presbyterian Church-And. Symington, D.D.; William Symington, D.D.; A. M. Rogerson; John Macleod; Jas. M'Gill; Wm. Anderson; James Reid. Congregationalists-Ralph Wardlaw, D.D.; Alex. W. Knowles; C. H. Bateman; William P. Paton; John Small.

Baptist Church-Alex. Macleod; James Paterson; William Innes; Robert Kettle.

"P.S. It is intended that the Conference be held in the Assembly Rooms, Great George-street, beginning on Wednesday, the 1st October, at twelve o'clock."

The preceding circular having been sent to the Anti-Maynooth Committee, the following admirable letter was prepared and adopted by them; and which will explain to our readers some of the objects contemplated by the meeting.

"Dear Sir,

"Exeter Hall, London, Sept. 5th, 1845.

"The Central Anti-Maynooth Committee have requested me to thank you for the communication which you transmitted to me on the 27th August, signed by many highly-honoured brethren in Scotland, inviting us to depute some of our number to attend a Protestant Conference for the Three Kingdoms to be held at Liverpool in October, preparatory to a larger Evangelical assembly from all parts of Christendom, to be held in London, if the Lord permit, in 1846.

I have already informed you how cordially the Committee accept the invitation. They have resolved to depute not less than twelve persons to attend the Conference on their behalf. The names of the clergymen, ministers, and others, who will constitute the Deputation, shall be transmitted to you with as little delay as possible.

"I have already conveyed to you a suggestion for extending the invitation to all classes of Christians holding the Head in Scotland; and, in the same spirit, I am confident that you will allow me to refer to one phrase in the circular. I allude to the mention of 'the encroachments of Popery and Puseyism.' There is not one member of our Committee who is not opposed to every form of anti-evangelical error; but, while hoping that a movement against Popery will tend to open the eyes of the public to the evils of analogous systems, we feel that against Popery alone the present movement of Evangelical Christians should be directed. The Conference will include many members of the Established Church of England; and it will strike you at once, that it would not be becoming in them to make a specific and systematic assault on evils in their own communion, in conjunction with other Christians. We N. S. VOL. IX.

5 H

may all unite against the common apostacy; but in regard to errors in particular churches, the wisest and best course appears to be, that each community should resolve to contend with increased vigour against its own. You will not, I am certain, misunderstand the motive of these observations on the single passage in your circular which seemed to us to require some notice on our part, while we joyfully receive and comply with the invitation which it conveys.

"The Central Anti-Maynooth Committee consider, that the contemplated assembly of 1846, while it will neither exert nor claim the slightest authority over the European and American churches, may yet, under God, be the means of so combining the minds, and concentrating the energies of our brethren in various countries, as to lead to highly useful results to the interests of the Saviour's kingdom. "Without in any way committing to any particular course those Christians who will take part in the ultimate, or in the preliminary Conference, I will briefly state the general objects to which we anticipate that their attention may be directed.

"I. The circumstances of the times demand from the true church of Jesus Christ an unanimous delivery of opinion as to the real character of the Papal system. That system is putting forth fresh vigour in various countries, and in none more than in our own; and it becomes an important question, whether the church has not failed in its duty of bearing an adequate and sufficiently combined testimony against the Romish apostacy. Would the Government and intelligent statesmen have lent themselves to the designs of the Papacy as they have done, if public opinion had been sufficiently enlightened on the subject? The language of the Reformers was unequivocal, and it is to be regretted that modern phraseology, and (it is feared) modern opinion should have considerably declined from the high standard of the sixteenth century. The Homily of the Church of England for Whitsunday says of the Romanist community, The state thereof is so far wide from the nature of a true church, that nothing can be more.' We anticipate, therefore, that the approaching assemblies will raise the question in the face of the Christian world, whether the Church of Rome is to be regarded, and if so in what sense, as a form of Christianity at all? The concentrated judgment of orthodox Christians upon this point, sustained by the authority of the Divine word, and promulgated through all countries where the Press in its various forms can convey it, cannot but conduce to the glory of God. It appears to this Committee, that it is high time that the compromise between truth and error, between Christ and Anti-Christ, should be brought to a termination, and that the question should no longer be held as doubtful, which of two antagonistic systems, claiming to be Christianity, is so in reality.

"II. But in order to a successful renewal of the protest against Rome of the sixteenth century, it appears to us expedient, not to say necessary, that the common principles of the true faith, and the general outline of the true church, should be exhibited by united Christians. These were regarded by Bishop Davenant, and the ether advocates of peace and union among the reformed churches in the seventeenth century, as contained in the Creed, commonly called the Apostles', the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, as embodying the momentous facts, the essential duties, and the permanent subjects of prayer, on which all true Christians are agreed. "The manifest union in faith and love of the evangelical churches, apart from uniformity of ritual and discipline, appears to be as indispensable to convict Rome of apostacy, as it is in harmony with the Saviour's prayer, and with the Divine purposes. There are principles so clearly laid down in the word of God, that they are essential to the sound Christianity, whether of an individual or of a church. Such are the sufficiency of the inspired Seriptures as a rule of faith, and the duty of every man to examine them for himself; the blessed doctrine of the Trinity: the utterly depraved state of man by nature, and the necessity of vital conversion to

God; the freeness of salvation; the justification of all believers by faith alone in the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; and their sanctification by the operation of the Holy Spirit. These are cardinal truths; and if these, developed by competent theologians, and expressed in simple language, could be upraised as the common standard of the churches, which are also agreed in the Divine institution and present obligation of baptism, the Lord's supper, and the Christian ministry, most evangelical congregations might be expected, without severing existing relations, to rally round it. How glorious would be such a spectacle! What a refutation of the superstitious unity of Rome! To render it, indeed, a loving, fervent, affectionate union, the Holy Spirit must be abundantly poured out. No human arrangements, no orthodox confessions, can supersede the necessity for His Divine work. But His operations might be confidently looked for, were the Churches humbly, penitently, and prayerfully to use the means for exhibiting their essential We believe, therefore, that this object should be one of those contemplated by the expected Conferences.

oneness.

"III. But, while protesting against Rome, and designing to exhibit the oneness of the Church, the Central Anti-Maynooth Committee consider, that Christians ought also to endeavour to unite, as far as practicable, in disseminating Divine truth in countries where Romanism prevails. The labours of the brethren in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, might be aided through their own socicties. The still more wonderful religious movements in Germany-aCountry to which England owes its race, its religion, and its dynasty-might be judiciously promoted. And to turn to our own Country, in Ireland, the dissemination of the Word of God, and other simple forms of religious effort, might be undertaken in combination; while societies connected with evangelical communities might be aided, out of a common fund, to spread sound principles among our benighted countrymen. The most incontestable proof would by this means be afforded, that it was not owing to any lack of British affection or generosity, that the Protestant people of these realms have protested against contributing to the Endowment of Romanism.

"The Countries already named are all accessible to our efforts. If grace is given to the Churches to enter these open doors boldly and faithfully, they may subsequently see their way to extend their evangelical operations into the very centre of Romanism itself. Our brethren in the United States are actively engaged in a plan for introducing the Scriptures and scriptural principles into Italy, and especially into Rome. We consider that the Church will not have fulfilled its duty, till it shall, in some manner, have exerted its utmost efforts, in dependence on the Divine aid, to call upon every Romanist to come out of the great apostacy.

"IV. But in order that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified,' throughout the earth, there is required a revival of the brotherly spirit of the Reformation; and in Roman Catholic kingdoms especially, a great extension of Religious Liberty. Aforetime in Europe, Protestant Governments, like those of England and Prussia, were accustomed to interpose their influence with the rulers of Roman Catholic countries, for the protection and enfranchisement of their brethren of the Reformation. But recent events plainly indicate that a decided change is taking place in the policy of Protestant countries, and that, under God, the main security of such as may come out of Babylon, will be found in the force of sanctified public opinion, and in the sympathy and co-operation of enlightened Christians. But in many Countries of Europe, that public opinion has yet to be created. Little is known of the unspeakable privilege of free access to God's Word; and, with it, of that inalienable birth-right of the soul, freedom of faith in that Word, and worship according to it,-or of the individual and direct responsibility of every man to God, in all that relates to the convictions of his conscience. The liberty of

worship, and the free use of the Holy Scriptures, need to be maintained, and the great arguments in favour of these sacred rights of man require to be addressed to the consciences of all men, through every available channel, in many lands. With purely political questions we wish not collectively to interfere; but freedom for Religion must be conceded, before Religion itself can triumph; and we regard it as a subject worthy of our united counsels.

"It is with such views that the Central Anti-Maynooth Committee have determined to accept your invitation from Scotland. We presume that you will invite the Anti-Maynooth Committee for Ireland, to promote the attendance of deputies from the sister Country; and that the principal religious societies of the United Kingdom will be requested to co-operate, so as to render the preliminary assembly of next October, a fair exhibition of the evangelical feelings of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. At the same time, it strikes us as very important, that persons attending the Conference, should be considered as speaking their own sentiments, and not as committing the communities with which they are connected.

"In conclusion, our Committee wish to urge you to impress on all whom you can influence, the supreme importance of earnest, fervent, and unceasing prayer, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the God of patience and consolation would grant us to be like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus, that we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, and strive together for the faith of the Gospel.

"Believe me, dear Sir, with sincere personal respect on account of the part you have taken in promoting the union of Evangelical Christians,

"Your faithful servant for the Saviour's sake,

"John Henderson, Esq., Glasgow."

"CULLING EARDLEY SMITH.

This document will close the public labours of the Anti-Maynooth Committee, as the meeting at Liverpool will complete the duties confided to it.

Some remarks have been made upon this letter in the Patriot newspaper, which betray great ignorance of the facts, and great peevishness and ill temper towards one who is an honour to our denomination, and whose amiable and consistent course deserves very different treatment from those journalists who profess to represent the sentiments of our body.

We have omitted to state that the meetings at Liverpool are expected to continue three days, October 1, 2, and 3; and that its conductors earnestly beg the prayers of all Christians to aid their deliberations.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We omitted to introduce our Article in the August number on Bartholomew's Day as from the pen of the Rev. T. C. Hine. A singular coincidence, which would be uninteresting to our general readers, makes this announcement locally desirable.

Errata in our September number.

Page 688, 7th line from bottom, for "the Rev. T. M. Necours," read, the Rev. T. M. Newnes.

Page 690, line 21-for "Besborough," read Desborough.

line 23-for "Bothwell," read Rothwell.

12th line from bottom,-" P. W. Jenkyn," read T. W. Jenkyn.

Page 694, line 28-for "than," read that.

Page 694, line 40-for "we do believe," read, we do not believe.

THE

CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 1845.

CONFERENCE ON CHRISTIAN UNION,

HELD IN LIVErpool, on wedNESDAY THE 1ST OF OCTOBEr, 1845, and SUBSEQUENT DAYS.

FIFTY years have just transpired, since the day on which there assembled in London a goodly company of evangelical Christians of several denominations, to form "The Missionary Society." These brethren did not come together simply for the sake of Christian Union; but that, being united, they might advance the knowledge of Christ in the world and they did not meet in vain.

Their united prayers and counsels, their abounding zeal, liberality, and affection, produced upon the minds of myriads the happiest results; and unquestionably that meeting may be regarded as an epoch in the history of evangelical religion in our native land, and throughout the world.

Nothing approaching to that movement in devout and elevated feeling, and in the combination of elements, supposed to be insuperably discordant, has since occurred in this country till the meeting held in Liverpool, in October, 1845, took place. We were happy in our last number, (pages 766-772,) to put our readers in possession of the preliminary measures which had been taken to convene this most memorable assembly, and it is now with admiration and thankfulness that we proceed to record something of its proceedings, and truly auspicious results.

The first session of the Conference was held at noon on Wednesday, October 1st, in the theatre of the Medical Institution, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, and there were assembled about two hundred ministers and other gentlemen connected with no less than seventeen different denominations.